Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-04-30
A world Of s,i worn and No Piay.

From the Philadelphia Record.
Not long ago Walter Besant, an English
novelist Of note, drew q picture In one OF his
books of an ideal "People's Palace" where
the masses OF London toilers could
gather where there would be concerts, ex-
hib,ions of paintings I'd statuary, theatrical
performances, lectures, and, indeed, every
thing that could elevate, instruct and fittinRly
amuse. The plan seemed to many persons to
be the dream OF an optimist; but 1t has taken
practical shape in An enterprise nodded on
lines similar 10 those suggested. In fact, q
building is now being erected in the very
poorest part OF London. in which its projec.
tors propose to present such wholesome
amusements that certain baleful influences
80 much deplored by philanthropsts and re-
formers may in great measure be counter
acted. Legislation that nationally attemptsto 70
lessen those evils that are Of rankest growth
In large cities ought 20 be given all encourage
ment; but no reform of that soft can be
complete unless 1t shall have put some
thing wholesome in the place OF that which
1t shall have suppressed. When John wesley
was accused OF having set his hymns to
tunes which, in the eyes OF many, OLD nc.
comport with their devotional character, his
reply was that he could not understand why
the devil should Tlwsys have the best music.
In too many cases the schemes devised py
well.meaning pers fer the beneht OF Ine
toilers fall far short OF the requirements Inc
and their music, and the warmth when al.
ways seems to radiate from gathering bent
on pleasure, are preferred to places that py
comparison seem cold and cherries, ana thst
are hedged in by restrictions that check the
flow OF socisbility and beget feeling OF re.
serve and exnlusiveness. The majority OF
the people of TO. day are obliged to work so
many hours and to drudge with such press
ing toll that they have no tune, no strength,
no ambition, to lead the lives they would
l like to lad. Duty drives with hot whip
l lash. They have no time to think OF the
worlds beauty, OF the worlds inspiration, o.
the worlds good. They can scarcely pt
blamed, therefore, when they occasionall
seek forgetiulness OF self in pastimes which
| even II not wholly vicious, do not In the enc
/ contribute in any way to the betterment o
their social or PHYSICAL condition. IL It o
true that the king has to be amused, muc!
| more do his subjects need to be; and q
/ though night schools, workingmen's guild
/ and scientific lectures have their places q
l helps toward the mental wholesOmeness OF
/ community, they cannot be supposed to ga
even, indeed, the longing for compsnionshil
the desire to be free for The time being froI
| care and trouble.
How best to satisfy this longing is prol
lem which demands solution. That even II
poorest and most ignorant can be brought
/ enjoy the beautiful and the artistic can
seen every day. They deck the walls OF the
houses with woodcuts. they look lovingly Q
/ the flowers in market places, they clust'
/ around windows where are displayed Il
, | choicest OF paintings and etchings and
| must be that the dim longings for and love
; / beauty could be stirred into life and CO.
sciousness il they could only have the oppo
3 / tunity to expand the faculties and refine Il
8 | senses This new condition OF living cam
, | be brought about in q day but with eve
, effort to dispel Ignorance and viciousness
/ corresponding effort should be made to &
tablish something that would provide Inn
: / cent amusement, and cause men to belize
d ! that there are light and warmth and satisf
o | ing pleasure outside OF the salool and dan
~ / hall,